Nawrocki, backed by the conservative opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, secured 50.89 percent of the vote in Sunday’s runoff election, defeating liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski on 49.11 percent. Turnout was a near-record 71.63 percent.
'A country broken in two'
Lower-house Speaker Szymon Hołownia, whose centrist Third Way bloc props up Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-EU coalition, wrote on X: “Bring Poland peace, not revenge … Your basic task is to mend a country broken in two.”
Upper-house Speaker Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, from the ruling centrist Civic Coalition (KO), told broadcaster Radio Zet that deep polarization remained untouched: “It is hard to live in a country where the divides run through every area of life.”
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, leader of the rural-based Polish People's Party (PSL), said Nawrocki now faced “the great task of rebuilding the community.”
EU funds minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz reminded the president-elect of his campaign pledge to veto any mortgage subsidy bill that risked driving up prices.
"A promise said is a promise kept – I expect it to be honored," she said.
Right-wing endorsements
Opposition figures, including PiS parliamentary leader Mariusz Błaszczak and former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, praised voters for choosing “a strong state rooted in values.”
Far-right Confederation co-leaders Sławomir Mentzen and Krzysztof Bosak also sent greetings.
"I hope you will represent our country well and not repeat your predecessors’ mistakes," Mentzen wrote, recalling “concrete declarations” Nawrocki signed during a campaign stop in the north-central city of Toruń.
International reactions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Baltic leaders were among those who messaged congratulations, while outgoing President Andrzej Duda and defeated rival Trzaskowski offered good wishes.
Trzaskowski wrote on X: "Congratulations to Karol Nawrocki on winning the presidential election. This victory comes with responsibility—especially in such difficult times, and with such a close result. I hope you will keep that in mind."
Nawrocki is set to be sworn in on August 6, retaining PiS control of the presidency and setting up likely clashes with Tusk’s government over EU policy, climate goals and judicial reforms.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP, IAR